Article by Cezar Titor – published on Sunday, September 7, 2025, 15:41 / Updated Sunday, September 7, 2025 15:51
Next week, the Munich Motor Show (IAA Mobility), the most important European car event, organized Bienal, will bring together European and Chinese producers in a spectacular confrontation, more and more clearly highlighting China's ascension to the electric vehicle.
Basically, as the analysis prepared by Reuters shows, the event will be a direct duel between the car markets in China and Europe.
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The Munich Motor Show of 2025, officially known as IAA Mobility 2025, takes place between September 9 and 14 at Messe Munich. The event brings together over 750 exhibitors from all over the world and attracts over 500,000 participants.
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The Munich car show has a long history, starting in 1897, when it was organized for the first time as the Frankfurt Motor Show. Starting with 2021, the organizers have decided to move the event in the heart of Bavaria, turning it into IaA Mobility.
Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW Versus Byd, Changan or Gac
European giants such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Renault are caused by new and powerful names in China, including Byd, Changan, Gac and Hongqi. While Europeans lose ground on the world's largest car market, China, where prices and competition are extremely harsh, Chinese producers are now looking for profit in Europe.
BYD is the best known example: its global sales increased ten times in five years, reaching 4.2 million units in 2024. “It is Europe versus China. The Chinese want to expand here, and Europeans are trying to respond through EVs and innovative software.”says Pedro Pacheco, vice president at Gartner, an American research and consulting company in the field of technology and business.
China presence, increased by 40% at IAA
This year, the Chinese presence in IAA will be 40% higher than 2023. Hongqi, once Mao Zedong's favorite brand, will present its new EHS5, EHS7 and EHS9 models, while Chery will launch Hoca and Jaecoo brands in Germany, according to Reuters. Byd will exhibit premium models, including the Plug-in Hybrid Seal 6 DM-I Touring and the Denza brand. Until July 2025, Byd sales in Europe increased by 290%, exceeding 84,000 cars.
Even the rates imposed by the European Union for Chinese electric cars do not seem to stop their expansion. “Europe is now the main growth market for Chinese, especially since the US is inaccessible for political reasons.”explains Xing Zhou, a partner at Alixpartners, another important consulting firm on the international stage.
European builders are preparing to respond with force. At IAA, BMW will present the IX3 SUV, the first model in the Neue Klase series of electric vehicles. Renault will launch Clio 6, and Mercedes-Benz will bring the new Electric GLC. Volkswagen will introduce the ID.Polo electric hatchback, which will have a starting price of below 25,000 euros in 2026.
